Criminal Justice Process Overview

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of the initial appearance in the criminal justice process?

To inform the suspect of their charges and rights (correct)

To conduct the trial of the accused

To determine the sentence of the accused

To formally charge the suspect with a crime

Booking does not include photographing or fingerprinting the suspect.

False

What does probable cause mean in the context of arrests?

A reasonable belief that a crime has been committed and that the suspect committed it.

What does the term 'dark figure of crime' refer to?

Crimes that go unreported Signup and view all the answers

During the _______ hearing, the existence of probable cause is determined for a criminal case.

preliminary Signup and view all the answers

Most criminal prosecutions begin with law enforcement detecting a crime.

False Signup and view all the answers

Match the following arrest processes with their descriptions:

Booking = Recording identification and alleged crime of the suspect Charging = Decision-making on what crimes to formally charge Initial Appearance = Suspect is informed of charges and rights Grand Jury = Determines if enough evidence exists for trial Signup and view all the answers

Which modern advancement has improved the accuracy and speed of the booking process?

Digital technologies Signup and view all the answers

What legal standard must be met for an arrest to be considered legal?

Probable cause Signup and view all the answers

The decision to charge a suspect is purely based on personal opinion of the police officer.

False Signup and view all the answers

The _____ investigation involves securing the crime scene and identifying key individuals such as victims and witnesses.

preliminary Signup and view all the answers

What can happen to a suspect's personal property during booking?

It can be confiscated and inventoried. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following stages of the criminal justice process with their correct definitions:

Investigation = Gathering evidence and information about a crime. Arrest = Taking a suspect into physical custody. Booking = Recording the arrest details into police records. Charging = Formally accusing a person of a crime. Signup and view all the answers

Defendants who cannot afford an attorney may be assigned a _______ who is compensated by the court.

public defender Signup and view all the answers

Which case established the requirement that police use of force must be objectively reasonable?

Graham v. Connor Signup and view all the answers

Most crimes are detected by random patrols of law enforcement officers.

False Signup and view all the answers

What happens after law enforcement completes the arrest process?

The suspect is taken for booking. Signup and view all the answers

What is one key aspect of a follow-up investigation?

Involvement of detectives and forensic scientists Signup and view all the answers

The use of _____ force by police is authorized when necessary to take a suspect into custody.

reasonable Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the first step in the criminal justice process?

Investigation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary document used by the prosecutor to initiate charges in jurisdictions that do not use a grand jury?

Information Signup and view all the answers

Defendants have the right to be absent during preliminary hearings.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a formal agreement where a defendant pleads guilty in exchange for dropping certain charges?

plea bargain Signup and view all the answers

In most felony cases, the judge waits for the results of a ______ before imposing a sentence.

presentence report Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their correct definitions:

Arraignment = The stage where the defendant enters a plea Grand Jury = A group that determines if there is enough evidence for a trial Probable Cause = The standard necessary to move forward to trial Plea = A formal statement of guilt or innocence by the defendant Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of the U.S. attorney in federal criminal cases?

Represent the United States in court proceedings Signup and view all the answers

The grand jury system is still used in state courts.

False Signup and view all the answers

What must a judge ensure about a guilty plea before proceeding?

That it was made knowingly and voluntarily Signup and view all the answers

The determination of ______ is critical for moving forward with a criminal trial.

probable cause Signup and view all the answers

Match the following parties involved in a criminal case with their roles:

Defendant = Person accused of a crime Prosecutor = Represents the state or government Judge = Oversees court proceedings and ensures fairness Defense Counsel = Represents the accused individual Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dark Figure of Crime

Many crimes remain unreported, preventing initiation of the criminal justice process.
The process involves several stages: Investigation, Arrest, Booking, Charging, Initial Appearance, Preliminary Hearing, Grand Jury, and Arraignment.

Reporting Crimes

Most prosecutions start when a private citizen reports a crime to the police.
Random patrols by officers rarely detect offenses; citizen information is crucial for justice.

Investigations

Initial investigations may be simple or complex, depending on the crime's seriousness.
First responders secure the crime scene, identify crucial participants, and gather preliminary evidence.
Follow-up investigations are usually conducted by detectives for more complex cases.

Arrest Process

Legal arrests require probable cause, indicating sufficient evidence against a suspect.
Controversial use of force must be objectively reasonable as established in Graham v. Connor (1989).
Officers may use reasonable force to apprehend suspects, differing from self-defense scenarios.

Booking Procedure

After an arrest, suspects are taken to a holding facility for booking, which involves personal identification and photographing.
Booking records detail the alleged crime and personal information, using digital technology for efficiency.
Suspects of minor offenses may receive citations instead of being booked into jail.

Charging Decisions

Prosecutors decide what charges to file, evaluating evidence from the police case file.
Charging documents vary by jurisdiction: indictments may require a grand jury while other cases use prosecutorial information.
An arrest does not always precede the issuance of a charging document.

Initial Appearance

Defendants must see a judge shortly after arrest to prevent unlawful detention.
Initial appearances inform suspects of charges, their rights, and whether sufficient evidence exists to continue processing.
Bail is often set during this stage, and counsel is provided for those unable to afford representation.

Preliminary Hearing and Grand Jury

Grand juries review evidence in secret to determine probable cause, while preliminary hearings are more accessible to defendants.
Both processes aim to ascertain sufficient evidence for trial; probable cause is essential in advancing to court.

Arraignment

Defendants enter pleas during arraignment, where implications of a guilty plea can lead to immediate sentencing or further proceedings.
Plea bargains can offer leniency in exchange for guilty pleas, with over 90% of federal defendants opting for this route.
Judges must confirm that guilty pleas are entered knowingly and voluntarily, emphasizing the requirement's importance for due process.

Key Concepts

Probable Cause: Requirement to justify arrests and charges.
Objectively Reasonable Force: Standard for police use of force during arrests.
Plea Bargain: Agreement between a defendant and prosecutor for reduced charges or sentences in exchange for a guilty plea.
Grand Jury vs. Preliminary Hearing: Different methods to establish probable cause; grand jury proceedings are secretive, while preliminary hearings are conducted publicly.

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Description

This quiz covers the stages of the criminal justice process, focusing on the unreported crimes known as the dark figure of crime. It includes details about the importance of citizen reports, the roles of initial investigations, and the intricacies of the arrest process. Test your knowledge on how crimes are processed within the justice system.

Criminal Justice Process Overview

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of the initial appearance in the criminal justice process?

Booking does not include photographing or fingerprinting the suspect.

What does probable cause mean in the context of arrests?

What does the term 'dark figure of crime' refer to?

During the _______ hearing, the existence of probable cause is determined for a criminal case.

Most criminal prosecutions begin with law enforcement detecting a crime.

Match the following arrest processes with their descriptions:

Which modern advancement has improved the accuracy and speed of the booking process?

What legal standard must be met for an arrest to be considered legal?

The decision to charge a suspect is purely based on personal opinion of the police officer.

The _____ investigation involves securing the crime scene and identifying key individuals such as victims and witnesses.

What can happen to a suspect's personal property during booking?

Match the following stages of the criminal justice process with their correct definitions:

Defendants who cannot afford an attorney may be assigned a _______ who is compensated by the court.

Which case established the requirement that police use of force must be objectively reasonable?

Most crimes are detected by random patrols of law enforcement officers.

What happens after law enforcement completes the arrest process?

What is one key aspect of a follow-up investigation?

The use of _____ force by police is authorized when necessary to take a suspect into custody.

Which of the following is the first step in the criminal justice process?

What is the primary document used by the prosecutor to initiate charges in jurisdictions that do not use a grand jury?

Defendants have the right to be absent during preliminary hearings.

What is the term for a formal agreement where a defendant pleads guilty in exchange for dropping certain charges?

In most felony cases, the judge waits for the results of a ______ before imposing a sentence.

Match the following terms with their correct definitions:

What is the main role of the U.S. attorney in federal criminal cases?

The grand jury system is still used in state courts.

What must a judge ensure about a guilty plea before proceeding?

The determination of ______ is critical for moving forward with a criminal trial.

Match the following parties involved in a criminal case with their roles:

Study Notes

Dark Figure of Crime

Reporting Crimes

Investigations

Arrest Process

Booking Procedure

Charging Decisions

Initial Appearance

Preliminary Hearing and Grand Jury

Arraignment

Key Concepts

Studying That Suits You

Description

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